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While the new Steel Curtain roller coaster at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh will not be officially open to the public until Saturday, it received its first riders on Friday with a soft opening to a select group of dignitaries, media members, invited guests and contest winners. A group that included defensive lineman Cam Heyward among a number of current and former players.
Opening with a dedication ceremony featuring a distinct Pittsburgh Steelers feel, a sea of Terrible Towels and the sounds of the team’s fight song ushered in the arrival of the world’s first NFL-themed roller coaster.
“It’s the final countdown!” #SteelCurtain has officially been dedicated! #SteelCurtainKickoff #NFL #Steelers pic.twitter.com/opZTwFdBi8
— ThrillGeek (@thrillgeek) July 12, 2019
#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/oIBtjASQgm
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) July 12, 2019
One of the first to test out the new ride, Heyward was almost as excited to try out the roller coaster as he was to meet Kenny the Kangaroo.
Me thinks @CamHeyward isn’t a bit nervous. #SteelCurtain @Kenny_Kangaroo @Kennywood_PR @fox53wpgh @steelers pic.twitter.com/Eh1nCg08k6
— Jordan Conigliaro (@JordanC_WPGH) July 12, 2019
Kennywood for #SteelCurtainKickoff‼️
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 12, 2019
: https://t.co/77OI3ZuCAK@CamHeyward | @Kenny_Kangaroo pic.twitter.com/BfCVWt0GLl
Current and former @steelers players including @CamHeyward @CraigWolfley @CoachBanny @hokiebro76 and Mike Wagner take a ride on Kennywood's new Steel Curtain coaster pic.twitter.com/TTixj3Uj7X
— Andrew Rush (@andrewrush) July 12, 2019
Heyward would be joined on the day by fellow teammate Matt Feiler and some iconic names of the past that included Mike Wagner, Mike Banaszak, Chris Hoke and Craig Wolfley.
Welcome Steelers to the Steel Curtain Kickoff! #SteelCurtainKickoff pic.twitter.com/c0htZOzG3P
— Kennywood Park (@Kenny_Kangaroo) July 12, 2019
The Steelers are ready to go! #steelcurtain #steelcurtainkickoff pic.twitter.com/anF2ie5g0G
— Q92.9 FM Pittsburgh (@Q929FM) July 12, 2019
With the Steelers drumline provide something of a gameday experience for those in attendance.
There’s drumming.... and fireworks.... and so much happening. All for the #SteelCurtain at @Kenny_Kangaroo! @WPXI pic.twitter.com/jaHec0L1f0
— Mike Holden (@WPXIMikeHolden) July 12, 2019
Sadly for Feiler, the offensive lineman was too big to fit into the seats at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds.
I believe I spy a Chris Hoke and a Matt Feiler in the distance. #dkps #steelers
— Hunter Alek Homistek (@HunterAHomistek) July 12, 2019
Matt Feiler is such a tank they can’t get his safety bar closed. #dkps #Steelers
— Hunter Alek Homistek (@HunterAHomistek) July 12, 2019
They’re making Matt Feiler get off the ride. Awwww. #steelers #dkps
— Hunter Alek Homistek (@HunterAHomistek) July 12, 2019
Feiler’s bummed in a hilarious way. Wanna turn a 330-pound machine into a 12-year-old? Tell him he can’t ride the ride. #dkps #steelers pic.twitter.com/r98cVaSkve
— Hunter Alek Homistek (@HunterAHomistek) July 12, 2019
But the rest of the riders at the park certainly appeared to enjoy their turn on the roller coaster.
And it’s official! The #SteelCurtain at @Kenny_Kangaroo has taken its first riders! #FirstDown pic.twitter.com/NU039ScZW5
— Amusement Today (@amusementtoday) July 12, 2019
Here we go! #SteelCurtainKickoff pic.twitter.com/QygKvqRVh4
— Kennywood Park (@Kenny_Kangaroo) July 12, 2019
The Steel Curtain! pic.twitter.com/hXKeituMBT
— Kristina Serafini (@KristinaS_Trib) July 12, 2019
“This is the best ride here.” Jack Thompson and his son Gavin from Harrison discuss their ride on the #SteelCurtain. #kennywood #Rollercoaster #pittsburgh #steelers #football pic.twitter.com/HZCG6QV0uU
— Madasyn Czebiniak (@MCzebsTrib) July 12, 2019
CONFIRMED: it was awesome! #SteelCurtainKickoff pic.twitter.com/jp5SFz5NC4
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) July 12, 2019
With some more relaxed about it than others.
THIS JUST IN... Newly released surveillance footage of me riding the @Kenny_Kangaroo #SteelCurtain. NEVER LOSE YOUR COMPOSURE. NEVER. @WPXI pic.twitter.com/ipPbwTFhB4
— Mike Holden (@WPXIMikeHolden) July 12, 2019
And for those wondering which is more intense, playing in the NFL or riding The Steel Curtain, Heyward confirmed it was most definitely the roller coaster.
A #Steelers perspective on the newest roller coaster at Kennywood. @steelers @CamHeyward @Kennywood_PR #SteelCurtain #SteelCurtainKickoff #pittsburgh #football #Rollercoaster #herewego pic.twitter.com/0iLG9g406g
— Madasyn Czebiniak (@MCzebsTrib) July 12, 2019
Sounds like you had a great first ride, @CamHeyward! #SteelCurtainKickoff pic.twitter.com/fZ2ZXTgzEE
— Kennywood Park (@Kenny_Kangaroo) July 12, 2019
For those looking for the “gut punch” Heyward describes, The Steel Curtain will be open to the general public on Saturday, July 13.
Here you go, and Here We Go! The first official POV video of #TheSteelCurtain for your viewing enjoyment! pic.twitter.com/d9iCkYhCeT
— Kennywood Park (@Kenny_Kangaroo) July 11, 2019